WEST TOPSHAM — John Guy Laprise, 70, of Crossroad, died Thursday, July 18, 2013, in the arms of his granddaughter, with the family present.

Born March 28, 1943, in St. Gerard, Quebec, he was the son of Leopold and Imelda (Ouellette) Laprise. In 1961 he moved from Canada to Stonington, Maine, and later to Vermont, finally settling in West Topsham.

On Sept. 10, 1983, he married Vickie Hatch in the same West Topsham home they shared at the time of his death. They also have raised two grandchildren in their home since 1999.

For many years he was employed as a sandblaster for several local granite companies, retiring in 2006. After retiring from the granite sheds, he then drove a school bus for several years.

A gifted singer and musician, Guy enjoyed being a member of several bands over the years including The Merry Mariners in Maine, and Carol and Company and I-89 in Vermont. Other special times were snowmobiling, riding motorcycles, camping in Maine and Vermont, hanging out in his garage, watching FOX News, playing pool with his uncle Gerard and friends, fixing things around the house, and especially time spent with his wife, his mother, children and grandchildren.

Besides his loving wife of 30 years, he leaves behind two sons, Stephen Laprise and his wife, Jamie, of Brooksville, Maine, and Jeffrey Laprise, of Barre; a daughter, Heidi Wilds, and her husband, Steven, of West Topsham; his mother, Imelda Laprise, of Barre; and seven grandchildren: Paige Murray, Brooke Laprise, Jeffrey Guy Laprise, Christen Laprise, Logan Laprise, Sage Winner and Sierra Wilds. Also surviving is a sister, Denise Dion, and her husband, Ronald, of Barre; a niece, Cindy Noyes, and her husband, Mike, along with their two children; and two nephews, Ronald Dion and his wife, Arta, and Shawn Dion.

He was predeceased by his father, Leopold Laprise.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, July 26, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. A time of remembrance, life celebration and luncheon will follow at his Crossroad home in West Topsham.

At a later date, the family will conduct a private burial at the Berlin Corner Cemetery.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001-0976.